Bryan Adams Takes Aim at Political Chaos in New Single ‘Lake Ontario’

Bryan Adams delivers a sharp dose of political satire in his new single ‘Lake Ontario’, tackling political distractions, national identity and the madness of modern politics ahead of his forthcoming album How’s It Goin’, out November 6 via BAD Records.

Bryan Adams has never needed much more than a guitar and a good story to make his point. This time, however, the Canadian rock legend has politics firmly in his sights.

Released today (28th October), his new single ‘Lake Ontario’ is far more than a tribute to one of North America's Great Lakes. Beneath its historical references and distinctly Canadian identity lies a sharp piece of political satire, taking aim at Donald Trump, international tensions and the increasingly familiar spectacle of political controversy being overshadowed by the next headline.

The lyrics reference the conflict involving Iran, the Epstein files and what Adams portrays as deliberate political distractions, all while defending the enduring identity of Lake Ontario against attempts to rename it.

And Adams makes his position abundantly clear:

“Empires and regimes, dictators and kings, they all come and go. Lake Ontario is forever. This is a song for all the sane people on both shores who know that the current madness will pass, and that Lake Ontario will always be Lake Ontario.”

It's an unusually pointed political statement from an artist better known for timeless rock anthems than headline-grabbing political commentary.

https://youtu.be/VQFYuM2N1Bc?is=yDwUguRKQ15hLnPN

How’s It Goin’: A Love Letter to Canada With Something to Say

‘Lake Ontario’ is taken from Adams' forthcoming studio album How’s It Goin’, arriving November 6, 2026, via BAD Records.

Described as a musical love letter to Canada, the record explores the country's history, landscapes, characters and cultural identity, drawing on Celtic folk, traditional rock and Acadian influences.

But judging by its subject matter, this is no straightforward exercise in nostalgia.

Alongside ‘Lake Ontario’, the album features ‘51st State’, another politically resonant anthem that has reportedly been receiving nightly standing ovations during Adams' recent performances.

Elsewhere, songs including ‘The Battle of Lundy’s Lane’, ‘The Ballad of Terry Fox’, ‘Diesel & Dirt’ and ‘Iron Ribbon’ explore different chapters of Canadian history and everyday life.

The title track, ‘How’s It Goin’’, brings a more celebratory atmosphere, with an energetic, acoustic-driven tribute to Canadian culture.

How’s It Goin’ — Tracklist

1. How’s It Goin’

2. Highway 16

3. Diesel & Dirt

4. The Battle of Lundy’s Lane

5. The Ballad of Terry Fox

6. 51st State

7. When Canada Joined Newfoundland

8. A Handful of Gold

9. Iron Ribbon

10. The Bridge

11. Canada’s Wild Eastern Edge

12. Heave Away

13. Lake Ontario (Digital Bonus Track)

    
    

The album will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats, with ‘Lake Ontario’ appearing as a bonus track on the digital edition.

A special A4 hardback book edition will also be released, featuring the album on CD alongside lyrics and imagery connected to the stories explored throughout the record.

This time, he's not singing about the summer of '69. He's singing about the political chaos of 2026.0

Pre-order the album here

The Riff Collective